Harvest Village housing development gets stamp of approval

The Sunnyside City Council last night approved a resolution that gives final plat approval to the Harvest Village subdivision.

The property in question is to the west of Sunnyside-Mabton Highway and encompasses about 40 acres. The subdivision consists of four parcels, one of which is divided into 45 lots. Developers plan to construct single family stick-built homes on the 45 lots. The development of the three other parcels is subject to a future review by the City Council.

The Harvest Village property was rezoned from R-1 to R-3 just over three years ago. Initial plans by the developers were to construct a manufactured home park at the site and a manufactured home subdivision.

Now, though, the developers have opted to construct stick-built homes on the 45-lot parcel. City Manager Bob Stockwell told Council the lot sizes meet or exceed the minimum lot sizes for the city's R-1 zone lot size requirements. He praised the developers for the first phase of the project, commending them for adhering to R-1 standards even though the parcel in question is zoned R-3, which would accommodate manufactured homes and apartment-style living. Stockwell said the second phase of the Harvest Village development will be zoned R-1.

Councilman Bruce Ricks also praised the developers for altering their plans to construct stick-built homes. "I applaud you for this change," he said.

Assistant City Manager Mark Kunkler added that infrastructure is currently being finalized at the housing development site. He said the Harvest Village subdivision "...will go a long way to meeting the city's housing needs."

Tom Arrowsmith, who is directly involved with the housing construction project, told Council he has been impressed with the working relationship he has formed with city staff.